The correct form is 12th, not 12nd. In English, ordinal numbers (numbers showing position) end with specific suffixes based on the last digit of the number. Numbers ending in 2 typically use “nd” (second, 22nd); however, there are exceptions. Twelve ends in 2 but it takes “th” as “ twelfth.
To summarize, “12th” is the correct form to use when writing ordinal numbers. This rule applies to most numbers that do not end in “1.” By following this simple guideline, you will be able to express positions, rankings, and order accurately and effectively in your writing.
Correct spelling, explanation: the correct form is 12th, because nd is the abbreviation for second, therefore the numeral ending with nd must be pronounced with second at the end (for example 22nd; twenty-second).
12th Today is the twelfth (of May). the twelfth century BC It's her twelfth birthday. My office is on the twelfth floor. It's the twelfth time that I've been to America. The artist had just sold another painting, her twelfth. the world’s twelfth-largest oil exporter He finished twelfth in the race. Louis XII (= Louis the Twelfth)
In conclusion, the choice between “12” and “12th” depends on whether you are referring to a quantity or an order. “12” is used when you want to express a number as a numeral, while “12th” is used to indicate position or rank in a series.
Why does 12 use “th” instead of “rd”? It’s a special rule in English. Numbers like 11, 12, and 13 are exceptions due to how they sound and their historical formation in the language. They always end with “th.” This makes “12th” the standard and correct form, not “12th.”
